Fellowships: Complex Surgical Oncology

The Department of Surgery offers a two-year surgical oncology fellowship to fully trained general surgeons who desire further experience in surgical oncology. There is a significant opportunity to become well trained in the broad field of surgical oncology, as well as to become proficient in the multidisciplinary care of the cancer patient. It is the objective of the program to meet the specific needs of each fellow. More than 90 percent of graduates assume a full-time appointment in academic surgery. The program began in 1985 and there are over 150 alumni.

Clinical Training

Clinical training throughout the fellowship is divided into one-month rotations and follows the mentorship model. The first year of the fellowship is structured so that each fellow gains broad-based experience. Fellows spend two months each on the Hepatopancreatobiliary, Colorectal, and Gastric/Mixed Tumor (gastric cancer, sarcoma, melanoma, and other diseases) Services, and one month each on the Breast, Gynecology, Thoracic, and Head and Neck Services. The final two months include rotations in the Departments of Pathology and Radiation Oncology and elective time.

The second year of training is tailored to each fellow's individual goals and is therefore variable. The only required months during the second year are one month each on the Hepatopancreatobiliary, Colorectal, and Gastric/Mixed Tumor Services. In the remaining months, the fellow may elect to do additional clinical rotations (limited to no more than six months on a particular service) and/or participate in basic, translational, or clinical research.

Fellows are responsible for preoperative and postoperative patient care. They will be exposed to approximately 400 major operative cases during their two years. Fellows also participate in outpatient clinics, rounds, lectures, seminars, journal clubs, and research conferences. They are responsible for helping supervise and instruct residents and medical students.

Education

There are departmental and service-specific conferences that enhance both clinical and research activities. The conferences of the department include weekly Grand Rounds, Surgical Oncology Teaching Conference, and a Didactic Series in Surgical Oncology. In addition, each week there are lectures on surgical oncology topics, service discussions, research conferences, and a fellow-run conference dedicated to resident education. Fellows have access to all conferences within the Center, which number up to 50 per week.

Research

Research interests are discussed with each fellow at the beginning of the fellowship. Residents are encouraged to do background reading and make other preparations that will lead to clinical research projects in the first year, which can in turn be used to provide the framework for additional research projects during the second year. Basic-science research projects are also available as active programs exist within the department and the institution.

Benefits and Environment

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan — a vibrant, safe community with many nearby activities for adults and children. Salary and benefits are provided to all fellows according to level of training (number of postgraduate years). In addition, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center provides housing accommodations at a subsidized rate to all fellows in the form of unfurnished apartments within a short walking distance of the hospital. There are many schools and affordable childcare options nearby.

Two years. There is an opportunity to do an additional year of research.

Eligibility

By the beginning date of the fellowship, all applicants must have completed their residency training in an accredited general surgery program in the US or Canada and have attained qualification to sit for the examination of the American Board of Surgery.

Number of Positions

7-8

How to Apply

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is a participant in the Society of Surgical Oncology Matching Program. Applications are to be submitted via ERAS by the SSO stated deadline. We require the application, a personal statement, at least 3 letters of recommendation (but no more than the ERAS maximum), USMLE scores, ABSITE scores and a headshot photo.